Izzo Joins the 'Noles

Sparta (N.J.) Pope John XXIII tight end Ryan Izzo ended his recruitment with a commitment to Florida State, and he spoke about it with Scout.com.

Before committing to Florida State, Sparta (N.J.) Pope John XXIII tight end Ryan Izzo wanted to have a little fun.

So at the start of a Skype call with Seminoles tight ends coach Tim Brewster, he wore the hat of another program. However, the joke didn't last long as he quickly took it off and told Brewster and coach Jimbo Fisher he was Florida State-bound.

"I started off with a Wisconsin hat on, just as a joke," Izzo said. "Coach Brewster's face was priceless the first time he saw the camera turn on. I pulled out the Florida State had and he was real excited. I think he was kind of speechless. I got my family on there, too, because I was only able to go down there with my dad.

"He was able to talk to my little brothers and my mom a little bit. It was great."

During an official visit to Florida State, Sparta (N.J.) Pope John XXIII tight end Ryan Izzo found the offensive fit he wanted, and the comfortable feel off the field he needed.

"What it came down to was the personal feeling inside of me, just the place I felt most comfortable at and where I felt I had the best relationship with the coaches," Izzo said. "It was very hard (to decide). I was down to Rutgers, Florida State and Wisconsin for a couple of weeks. Just talking it over with my parents and my coaches, I think it really came down to the little things.

"It was things like the assistant coaches, input my mom and dad put in and also they looked up and researched and things like that."

So, after taking another week to think things through, Izzo ended his recruitment moments ago by committing to Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher.

He chose the Seminoles over Rutgers and Wisconsin, which were his other two finalists.

"He's 6-foot-6, 230, very athletic," Pope John XXIII coach Brian Carlson said. "What makes him special is he can put his hand in the dirt and block people or he can go out as a split end and catch the ball. It's a unique combination."

Through two games, both wins, Izzo has nine catches for 164 yards and a touchdown.

"What I like about their offense …the game against Pitt, the tight end caught three balls," Izzo said. "They move the tight ends around. They're always trying to create mismatches for the tight end. I like that along. I think I'm more of a receiving tight end, but I don't mind blocking. I know I'm going to have to block when I get to college."

Carlson said Izzo was able to showcase his skills in Pope John's offense.

"It definitely helps attracts the type of schools we've been getting to come in," Carlson said. "The type of offense we run is attracting some of these big-time schools because that's what they're running. They don't have to project. They can see what the kid is doing now. He can play wide receiver, he can play slot and he can put his hand in the dirt and play tight end."